A multi-agency operation led by Nyandarua County Police Commander Omar Arero Wednesday nabbed a large-scale production of illicit brew in a raid.
The alcoholic beverages were found in the home of an unlicensed manufacturer in Murereshwa village, Nyandarua North sub-county.
The team of security agents that comprised of the DCI, KRA, KEBS and police officers responded to a tip-off by locals about illegal activities that were ongoing in the enclosed compound.
Ndaragwa Deputy County Commissioner Walter Ngaira said that they were able to arrest two of the workers but the owner of the premises was still at large.
“We have been able to seize some containers that we suspect to be ethanol but we are yet to confirm through our experts.”
“We have also found crates of assorted liquor, a machine used to package the liquor, metallic bottle caps, unlabeled bottles, stickers and labels,” he said.
He added that the stickers were suspected to be fake KRA stamps that were being used.
Concerted efforts by the police involved them camping near the homestead since Tuesday night as they were able to secure the premises.
“Through this approach, we are still processing the scene. Once we are done, and the owner is found, we are going to take necessary action,” said Ngaira.
He also said that the premises looked relatively new and the iron sheets erected were most likely used to conceal the activities that were going on.
“We have been able to assess how the transportation of the particular apparatus was being done and it seems they were concealing with hay.”
“It seems they have been taking advantage of the drought situation in the area so that they can bypass officers on patrol without being detected,” he added.
Nyandarua County Police Commander Omar Arero said that one of the suspects is a woman who was initially based in the Rumuruti area of Laikipia County but was chased away.
“This is a large-scale production and based on our information, these assorted second-generation liquor is also being supplied to Laikipia,” he said.
He also said that the illicit brew was threatening the lives of residents as it was predominantly being supplied to areas such as Mairo Inya, Ol Joro Orok and Ol Kalou.
“Starting today we are going to focus our operations in those areas, make sure we get rid of these brews and ensure that the locals are safe,” said Omar.
The KRA officials decried the use of counterfeit stamps as it contributes to a great loss of revenue and noted that the stamps were not official.
They said that numbers on a single KRA stamp were being duplicated on another roll to authenticate the products.
DCC Ngaira issued a warning to traders who were involved in such deals that their days were numbered.
“We are going to ensure we extend our operations to cover most of the major markets including Mairo Inya, Shamata and even involve our colleagues in Nyahururu.”
“We will check what is being sold in the local market to the people and traders found selling illegal brews will be taken in, brought before the court and necessary charges will be preferred against them,” said Ngaira.
